Firm Profile > KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law) > Moscow, Russia

Dispute resolution: Litigation Tier 2

KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law) has a strong track record in financial, insurance and IP disputes, representing major clients from a mix of sectors, including manufacturing, investments and pharmaceutical. The practice represented Takeda in seeking a recovery of insurance compensation payment of approximately $1.6m. Anna Grishchenkova is noted for commercial disputes and Sergey Popov for litigation in the real estate and construction sector. Managing partner Andrey Korelskiy is ‘an expert litigator’.

Intellectual property Tier 2

KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law) is praised for its ‘proactive approach in understanding the needs of the client’ and ‘excellent communication on a cross-functional level’. The team acted for key client Gleener in multiple cases regarding trade mark infringements and imports of counterfeit products. Elena Buranova heads the practice. Daria Chernysh left to pursue further education.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law) is particularly noted for assisting creditors with debt recovery and advising shareholders and company directors on subsidiary liability for the insolvency of the company and outstanding debt. Managing partner Andrey Korelskiy heads the bankruptcy practice; he is acting for National Clearing Centre in challenging a $50m payment to a large investment company prior to its bankruptcy. In another significant matter, Ilya Ischuk achieved the dismissal of all subsidiary liability claims filed against a former CEO of an online retailer concerning the company’s debt amounting to approximately $175m. Konstantin Astafiev represents private clients in initiating bankruptcy proceedings.

White-collar crime Tier 2

KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law) strengthened its capabilities in complex financial crime investigations and corruption with the hire of counsel Denis Kasatkin in April 2018 from the prosecutor’s office of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. Konstantin Astafiev leads the team, which also includes Dmitry Kalinichenko and Evgeny Metla. Standout cases include representing Huawei in an investigation concerning a $1.2m theft. Kalinichenko regularly works alongside Astafiev on complex white-collar defence mandates. The practice counts multinational corporations in the retail, technology, bio-tech and manufacturing sectors, and well-known Russian companies and individual clients among its client list.

Commercial, corporate and M&a: Moscow Tier 3

KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law)’s team is comprised of ‘practitioners with strong and varied experience in commercial and corporate consultancy’ who ‘go above and beyond to reach the right result for the client’. Led by Anton Samokhvalov, a ‘responsive and meticulous partner, who knows the commercial market very well’, the team handled a number of cross-border deals including advising Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex on the establishment of a joint venture with South Korean partners, and assisting Cambridge University Press with several corporate matters concerning the opening of a representation office in Russia. Ekaterina Pomykalova frequently assists Samokhvalov with its major transactions.

Competition Tier 3

The ‘highly professional and experienced’ competition lawyers at KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law) are ‘reliable partners for business due to their deep knowledge of the industry’. ‘Excellent and pragmatic’ practice head Ilya Ischuk has ‘outstanding experience in protecting the interests of businesses in court’. Senior associate Julia Kirpikova is ‘great at finding alternative legal solutions’. Clients include retailer Globus and wholesale company Metro Cash & Carry.

Dispute resolution: arbitration and mediation Tier 3

Anna Grishchenkova at KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law) leads the arbitration practice where she is frequently involved in domestic and multi-jurisdictional proceedings in major European and Asian arbitration forums. She and Alexei Gurin are acting as co-counsel for a major bank in a fraud-related dispute before the LCIA. Other instructions include representing a Russian food manufacturer in an ICAC arbitration against a Dutch contractor. Natalia Kislyakova is also highly regarded.

Employment Tier 3

At KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law), the employment team consists of ‘devoted professionals with strong knowledge and expertise’. In recent work, the group assisted TCC Retail Marketing with a senior manager’s dismissal. Senior associate Georgy Karaoglanov, who heads the department, is recommended for his ‘impressive litigation experience and exceptional skills in seeking solutions’.

Real estate and construction Tier 3

Assisting clients with both contentious and non-contentious matters, KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law) fields a team of ‘highly qualified lawyers with an in-depth understanding of the Russian real estate market’, which ‘solves all issues very quickly and professionally’. Practice head Sergey Popov is ‘great at negotiating with contractors, thereby successfully defending his clients' interests’. Also recommended are associates Tatyana Elmakova and Julia Usacheva. The team assisted Fosun with the acquisition of high-value real estate assets, among other matters. Other notable clients include retail company Decathlon, real estate company Hines, and hypermarket chain O'Key.

Tax Tier 3

KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law) significantly strengthened its reputation as ‘a go-to firm’ with the acquisition of boutique tax practice, Architecture of Law, in March 2018, with practice head Andrey Zuykov joining the 'highly experienced and solution-oriented' team. Noted for his 'technical expertise, commercial acumen and approachable style', Zuykov recently advised new client Palma Group on international tax and foreign currency control legislation matters in the management of foreign bank accounts. He is also active in several complex tax disputes. Associates Roman Suslov and Evgeny Vasin are other names to note.

Banking and finance: Lender or arranger side Tier 4

At KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law), recent work includes advising on land credit agreements under Russian and English law, subordinated and syndicated loan transactions and regulatory and operational matters. Roman Suslov is the main figure. VTB 24 is a key client.

TMT Tier 4

KIAP (Korelskiy, Ischuk, Astafiev and Partners, Attorneys at Law)'s team successfully represented LavkaLavka in proceedings concerning its initial coin offering and its BioCoin token sale. Practice head Julia Kirpikova handles a broad range of commercial law issues.

Client Testimonials

CLIENT: CLIENT: Head of legal

COMPANY/FIRM: Leader of finance service sector in Russia

TESTIMONIAL: This is a highly attuned team like orchestra, hardworking and solutions-focused. I follow Andrey Korelskiy and his team for the last 7 years. It is a team of savvy lawyers who work hard to achieve commercial outcomes. Extremely committed, highly effective and experienced. All the litigation practice can be absolutely recommendable.

CLIENT: Legal officer EMEA

COMPANY/FIRM: International Retail Chain

TESTIMONIAL: KIAP is a great example of a modern national law firm. Its name is synonymous with quality, business acumen and innovative approaches. All the team members are very skilled, incredibly bright and versatile with an excellent ability to always see the big picture and think about business targets. They never fear to be creative at challenging cases and always ready to continually negotiate rather than litigate. I like their commercial and practical approach to the cases they handle. They not only understand the legal part of the matter but also grasp the industry complexities.

CLIENT: Finance director

COMPANY/FIRM: International logistic company (TOP-5 in the world)

TESTIMONIAL: KIAP lawyers combine strong analytical skills with an intense motivation to move forward and resolve problems. Each member of this team has a good dedication and resolves complex cases quickly. They are efficient, persuasive and tenacious. They set a high quality standard for other firms and I know that many consider them among the best in the country.

CLIENT: Legal counsel

COMPANY/FIRM: Chemical holding

TESTIMONIAL: All of the lawyers I have worked with during these years are very classy litigators with superb legal skills, in-depth knowledge and client-friendly attitude.

CLIENT: CEO

COMPANY/FIRM: Venture company

TESTIMONIAL: KIAP is second to none. The more we instruct the firm, the less I worry about the next case’s outcome as they will do as much as it’s needed to succeed. Worth to note that they have a balanced system of business process coordination inside the firm – the team works like a clockwork, providing timely response, excellent follow up and professional advice.

CLIENT: Head of legal

COMPANY/FIRM: One of leaders of fashion world industry

TESTIMONIAL: What makes me a loyal KIAP client for over 6 years is their ability to make the law accessible to clients and creativeness in dealing with complex matters. I respect them for their business oriented approach and excellent skills to “read a situation”. This is a good advantage when the lawyer combines outstanding technical skills but at the same time is commercial and user friendly. Every lawyer is available at any time and provides detailed feedback. I always can expect to get prompt high-level advice. Another point which makes them different from other firms is their high level of industry knowledge.

CLIENT: Deputy of CEO (Legal and Corporate)

COMPANY/FIRM: Mining company

TESTIMONIAL: The Firm is very efficient in terms of finding workable commercial solutions quickly. They know legal, political and cultural specifics of the client’s business. The team stands out for its focus on strong business knowledge. They have a good style to work under tight timescales and always bring something unique to the project.

CLIENT: Head of legal

COMPANY/FIRM: IT company

TESTIMONIAL: KIAP is a top-level firm with deep experience and skill in dispute resolution and international arbitration. The service level is high, in particular in relation to industry knowledge, responsive approach to client objectives and strength in depth of the team. It strikes a good balance of legal and commercial skills. 

CLIENT: Head of legal

COMPANY/FIRM: Agriculture holding #1 in Russia

TESTIMONIAL: I am delighted to work with KIAP, it is a firm of the highest caliber mostly active in dispute resolution. They are flexible, commercially minded and demonstrate an excellent level of business intelligence and soundness of advice that others struggle to match. I appreciate their solid experience, good attention to detail, amazing energy and striking people skills.

CLIENT: Project manager (Legal and Corporate)

COMPANY/FIRM: Oil and Gas company

TESTIMONIAL: KIAP has an excellent reputation in the market with a first-class construction, insolvency and antitrust disputes practices. They are highly competent at designing creative dispute strategies, responsive and proactive. They are also one of the best firms for cases involving multi-faceted international disputes. KIAP lawyers always provide thorough advice and convincing recommendations. The team has incredible efficiency when it comes to complex matters and tight deadlines.